On December 12, AFP reported: "The EU finance ministers have finalized a 3-euro tariff on imported small packages starting July 2026, targeting Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Temu and Shein. Last year, European consumers spent 46 billion euros on online shopping, with 80% coming from China. Previously, items below 150 euros were tax-free, but starting next year, high-quality and low-cost Chinese goods will be subject to additional tariffs. The tariff costs will ultimately be passed on to European consumers!"
[Clever] The 3-euro tariff on small packages by the EU is supposedly about maintaining fair competition, but it's clearly a way to cover up the incompetence of local industries! The choice of 80% of the market is the result of consumers voting with their wallets, yet it has become a target for EU trade protectionism. On one hand, they enjoy the high cost-effectiveness of Chinese products, while on the other hand, they are unwilling to face their own shortcomings of high costs and low efficiency. Instead, they make the public pay for short-sighted policies. In today's era of deep integration of global supply chains, this kind of beggar-thy-neighbor approach is not only a disregard for consumer rights, but also a violation of free trade rules.
The so-called "anti-overload" is nothing more than an excuse. What is truly overflowing, is the EU's cowardice and hegemonic thinking when facing competition!
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1851309108673544/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.